New York Knicks: A realistic look at the 2019-20 starting lineup

The 2018-19 NBA season is coming to a close which means a crucial summer is on the horizon for the New York Knicks.

2019 Free Agency and the Draft. The two most important moments for the New York Knicks in the last decade. This is by far the best Free Agency class and Draft Lottery that we’ve seen in a very long time. This bodes well for New York as now they have an opportunity to build a super team.

No, I’m not talking about the type of super team that Derrick Rose had in mind in 2016, but a legitimate NBA title contender. Unfortunately for the Knicks, I just don’t think that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is in their future. Let’s take a step back and look at what the starting lineup will honestly and actually look like come tip off next season.

Point Guard: Kemba Walker

I know this isn’t Kyrie, so some of you are clicking off this article right now. That’s okay, but don’t be angry with a Kemba Walker to the Knicks signing. This is by far the closest possible thing they can get to a talent like Irving. This year, Walker proved that maybe he isn’t too far behind Uncle Drew.

Averaging 25.6 points per game while playing all 82 games is no easy feat, but it shows a glaring trait in Walker that Irving just does not possess, health. In the same amount of seasons played (8), Walker has been able to hit the court a total of 605 times, compared to Kyrie’s 508. It definitely causes some room for concern, especially due to the recent injury history that the Celtics point man has had to deal with.

With a dribble isolation package comparable to Irving and his improving ability to make those around him better, “Cardiac Kemba” is the much safer choice when choosing which point guard to roll with for the next handful of years. Unfortunately, this signing will ultimately bump young Dennis Smith Jr. to the bench or even completely out of New York.

It’s a shame because the 21-year-old shows plenty of promise and can be a solid combo guard in this league. For the betterment of the team however, it makes more sense to get Walker when aiming for a win-now situation. Who knows, maybe Smith can learn from the three-time All-Star and become a great sixth man for the Knicks.